The American Revolution Revolution Begins

The 1st Continental Congress In September of 1774, the colonists decided they needed to meet to talk about the British. 56 colonial delegates met in Philadelphia.

The 1st Continental Congress All the colonies were represented except Georgia, who didn’t want to rock the boat. So they ate steak and cheese sandwiches and talked... Delegates to the First Continental Congress met in the east portion of the first floor of Philadelphia’s Carpenter Hall.

The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 5, 1774.

The 1st Continental Congress Many of the delegates wanted to make peace with Britain and work things out. Many others, like Patrick Henry, thought that Britain would only get off their backs with violence.

Patrick Henry believed the colonies should be allowed to govern themselves.

The 1st Continental Congress In the end they compromised. They agreed to have the militias prepare for combat. They also drew up a list of resolutions for the king.

Colonial militias began to gather weapons and gun powder.

The 1st Continental Congress The Declaration of Resolves basically told the king that the colonies wanted their “life, liberty, and property.” The colonists also agreed to meet again in May of 1775 to talk again.

The 1st Continental Congress King George III just ignored the Declaration, and sent more troops to the Colonies instead.

The 1st Continental Congress The British soldiers had orders to seize the colonial militia’s weapons. A fight seemed inevitable to some, but most colonists really thought there wouldn’t be violence.

It Begins on Lexington Green British General Thomas Gage received orders to seize a large cache of Colonial weapons at Concord, Massachusetts in mid-April Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage

It Begins on Lexington Green Late in the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere received word that the British were marching toward Concord. He rode out to warn the minutemen in the area.

It Begins on Lexington Green In the chilly morning air of April 19, about 70 minutemen, armed with muskets and pitch forks waited on the green at Lexington.

It Begins on Lexington Green Many of the militia members didn’t really think there’d be a fight. The British company, numbering about 700 marched over a bridge and into the town of Lexington.

It Begins on Lexington Green After a standoff, shots were fired. To this day, no one knows who fired the first shot.

It Begins on Lexington Green The battle lasted only minutes. After a flurry of shots, 8 minutemen were dead, ten wounded, and the British marched on to Concord.

Concord After Lexington, the British marched on to Concord, but they were too late. Colonists had already moved and hidden most of the weapons there.

Concord The Minutemen and other militia attacked from several positions and drove the British from Concord. The British retreated back to Boston, taking heavy losses all along the way.

Concord Concord marked the first colonial victory. Even though it was small, it gave many colonists courage to carry on the struggle.

The 2nd Continental Congress In May of 1775, the colonists met again in Philadelphia. Now that the fighting had begun, there was much to do.

The 2nd Continental Congress They authorized the raising of a Continental Army. They named George Washington to be the commander-in-chief of the new army.

The 2nd Continental Congress Washington refused to take the pay, asking the Congress only to pay his expenses.

The 2nd Continental Congress The Congress also drafted the Olive Branch Petition. But by the time it reached King George the fighting was too fierce (Bunker Hill) and it was too late for peace.

The Battle of Bunker Hill: Effects Ended any real of conciliation with Britain Rallied the colonies Convinced the Continental Congress to act and prepare for war. Showed the British that this was not going to be quick or easy.